MOTORSPORTS

Max Mosley

Max Mosley is the president of motorsports governing body, the FIA.

A former barrister and then an amateur racing driver, Mosley helped found the March Engineering team in the late 1960s with the company going on to enter Formula 1 as well as provide cars for customers all over the world.

In 1977, Mosley left March to focus on his role with the Formula One Constructers Association and was heavily involved in the conflict between FOCA and FISA in the early 1980s before the first Concorde Agreement – which dictates the terms on which teams compete in Grand Prix events – was put together with Mosley as one of its key creators.

After a few years out of motorsport, Mosley returned to form Simtek Research although he sold his share in the outfit in 1991 when appointed as president of FISA. When FISA merged with the FIA, Mosley replaced Jean-Marie Balestre as president and is now in his fourth term of office.

Mosley has played a major part in improving safety in motorsport during his time in charge of the FIA and has also played a key role in the efforts to help the sport 'go green' and become more environmentally friendly.

However, Mosley has also faced his fair share of criticism during his time at the head of the FIA.

In recent years, his handling of the spying scandal involving Ferrari and McLaren during the 2007 season and tabloid newspaper reports about his private life led to calls for him to resign from his post, although he survived in his position.

Mosley was also heavily involved in the battle between the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association in 2009 when Mosley's desire to bring in a budget cap for the sport led to eight teams – including Ferrari and McLaren – threatening to quit the sport.

Mosley is currently set to stand down from his role at the end of his current term of office.